The Green Bay Packers are exercising the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, according to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Wyatt, a first-round pick in 2022, is now under contract through the 2026 season and will receive a guaranteed salary of $12.9 million in that final year.
The move comes as no surprise following general manager Brian Gutekunst’s recent comments about wanting to retain Wyatt and inside linebacker Quay Walker beyond their rookie deals.
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“For both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond,” Gutekunst said. “So whether that’s doing the fifth-year option or extending them, one way or another, we’re planning on doing that—we’d like to do that.”
Wyatt has appeared in 47 games for Green Bay but has started only five. He has primarily served as a pass-rush specialist, often coming off the field in early-down and short-yardage situations. Still, Wyatt has emerged as an impactful player within the Packers’ defensive line rotation, tallying 10.5 sacks and 77 pressures over the past two seasons.
He’s expected to take on a larger role in 2025 following the team’s decision not to re-sign starting nose tackle TJ Slaton. Green Bay also waited until the sixth round to draft Georgia defensive tackle Warren Brinson, indicating that Kenny Clark and Wyatt will be the starters.
According to OverTheCap, Wyatt’s base salary in 2026 will be $13.92 million—27th among all interior defensive linemen. That figure may seem steep for a player with only five career starts, but Wyatt has flashed elite potential if he can finish more sack opportunities.
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The Packers clearly value Wyatt and appear committed to giving him every chance to earn a long-term extension.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers exercising fifth-year option on DT Devonte Wyatt